NALGO vs. SDP counci

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Striking NAI. GÒ members ipined a lobby of Islington Council to protest against ment' . They want everyone acted has been great. The to have 'flexible' jub des- Housing Department has criptions, so they, can be been out for 11 days moved from job to job. You already, and some sections could be a clerk one day, a that you would never 1 L .. arnert to strike are out. by stan Cre oke 3,000 council workers in Islington - NALGO's entire membership-went on strike on February 19. They are striking to support Rob. Webb, who was sus. pended from the Housing Department a week earlier.

The 'crime for which Rob was. suspended, pending •disciplinary hearing, was to try to take up the job he's employed to do!

Last year Rob took a temporary job in the "right to buy?! 'section. He applied for a full time job in another part of the housing department, and got it. On January 4 hé got a new contract of employment and was meant to start in the new job.

But the SDP, who took control of the council last year, • decided that their main priority is selling council houses (in an area with a 7,000 long waiting list), and told Rob to stay on in his old job.

Rob and NALGO unwillingly put up with this treatment for a bit. But after a month it was clear the management wouldn't let Rub take up his own job at all. Rob Webb explained to Socialist Organiser:

•The SDP council PICKET rent rises a 'new style of managerent oicer une nes, in another section the next.

"I refused to be treated like that and took up my job. On the next day, February 10, I was suspended.

That was at 11.15. By 12 the Housing Department staff were having a meeting and by 1 o'clock they were all out. When it went to a full NALGO branch meeting the next week the votHON •'The way people have amn serma anadus = am e Britain's first SDP coun cil are showing themselves for what they are-union bashers. They've also helped show something else, though-that council workers won't be pushed around any more.

NIK BARSTOW ween what they nave been dragging their feet and few Clear plans have for any action. So far the main focus has been building protest rallies called by the GLCon March 1l and 13.

The strike should be used as the hrst step in a cam paign that gues beyond just protesting and starts even if the 100% fares rise is pushed through on March 21.

Monday 1 March: Fare Fight Day of Action fron 8.30 am Law Courts, the Strand (Temple tube] Thursday 11 March: Mass lobby of Parliamen organiser GLC. 2pm, House of Commons.

Saturday 13 March: Rally the rises, 2.30 pm, Jubilee Gardens, next to County Hall.

Fares Fight groups in most London Boroughs. For details contact Fare Fight 629 5268.

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ing was 520 for the strike and only 70 against."